Tag Archives: 1860

G. Purdom & Co., Ltd.

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96 Church Road, near corner with Fox’s Path

Listed as a varnish factory in the 1963 Borough of Mitcham List of Factories.

Eric Montague, in his book Mitcham Histories: 8 Phipps Bridge, page 79, said that he interviewed the works manager in 1966. The manager told him that he had heard it said that the work was originally mostly during the winter months and so local Gypsy and other casual workers were employed.

Montague goes on to say that the gates to the firm had written on them Established 1842, which he doubts.

Clip from Merton Memories, photo reference Mit_​Work_​Industry_​8-1 taken 4th April 1974

1860 ad

1860 ad

Text of ad:

Important to BUILDERS and PAINTERS.
Genuine White Lead, 31s. per cwt.
Linseed Oil, 2s. 2d.; Turps, 2s. 10d. per Gallon.
Fine Oak Varnish, 7s. 6d. per Gall.
Dry and Ground Colours, Brushes, &c, &c, for Cash, at
G. PURDOM’s, 20, Kings-road, Chelsea, S.W.
Every Article requisite for the Trade at Wholesale Prices.

John’s Place

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No.s 2 to 20, Church Path

Locally listed by Merton Council in December 1992:

This is a terrace of 10 two storey houses, which date from the mid 1860s. The
architectural style is very plain and simple, the main feature being the round
headed arches over the front doorways. The materials used include yellow
stock brick, with a slate roof. The design of the terrace does not relate closely
to that of other buildings in the vicinity, but in itself it does have some group
value. The main features of interest are the round headed door arches, and
the townscape value of the terrace, which frames the view to the Parish
Church to the north. All of the houses have suffered some form of insensitive
alteration, this includes re roofing using inappropriate materials (?),
replacement of the original wooden sash windows with unsuitable designs and
or framing materials, and replacing the front doors. Two of the houses also
have the masonry painted over.

2016

2016

When built in the 1860s a bronze Saxon bowl was found

Source Mitcham Histories : 12 Church Street and Whitford Lane, by E N Montague pages 3 and 50.

World War 1 Connections

From the Surrey Recruitment Registers:

F H THICK of 10 Johns Place, Church Road, Mitcham, aged 40 Years 7 Months, Handyman. Conscripted on 15 June 1917 to the 5th Labour Corps (301st Labour Co).